Edge (24 page)

I rubbed a hand in circles across her back. Even if we couldn’t be together in all the ways we wanted right now, I liked being with her every day again. She grounded me in a way no one ever had.

Her Dad could throw up all the roadblocks he wanted, but nothing could keep me away from her. I wished she’d not just hear me saying that, but believe it.

Dell

The sex, though quick, had infused me with a deep sense of relaxation. I couldn’t stop smiling as I worked on the guys after practice.

Vic walked in my office and sniffed. “Smells like sex in here.”

My cheeks warmed. “It smells like all sorts of body parts in a locker room, Vic. What can I do for you?”

“My neck hurts again.” He sat down on my table and I set to work. Kyler came in with a stack of freshly washed towels.

“I folded them for you,” he said proudly. The pile he held looked like it might fall to the floor at any second, with edges hanging out all over the place.

“Perfect!” I said. “Can you put them in my cabinet?”

He loved being my office helper – asking for a new job as soon as he finished one. He’d organized everything from top to bottom and was drawing pictures on a pad of paper at my desk when my dad came in.

“Hey, Ky,” he said warmly.

“Grandpa!” Kyler reached for him with a hug.

“You want to come out and skate?”

“I’m going to get ice cream with Luke.”

“Oh. Well, another time, then.”

“Can I spend the night at your hotel?” Kyler asked eagerly. My parents were still house shopping in Chicago, and Dad was living at a hotel in the meantime.

“Sure, maybe this weekend if it’s okay with your mom.”

They both turned to be and I shrugged. “As long as it’s not a school night, it’s fine with me.”

I was still furious with my dad, but I wouldn’t stoop to using my son as a pawn in our fight. John hadn’t called to ask about him, and I didn’t want Kyler losing contact with my father, the one man who had been a constant presence in his life.

“Thanks, Adella,” Dad said, not looking at me as he left my office. What we both knew remained unspoken – even though I was a woman, I was a bigger man than him.

Luke

Ryke eyed me from head to toe as we waited around in the locker room.

“You checking me out?” I asked.

“Fuck no. You’ve cut weight. I’ve never seen you this lean.”

“It’s the Butch Price workout plan,” I muttered. “I needed to drop ten pounds anyway.”

“You heading out of here?”

“I’m waiting for Kyler. We’re going out for ice cream.”

“Cool.”

“You want to come?”

“I have to go hang out with the kids so Kate can get her hair done.”

I rolled my eyes. “Such a good little husband.”

“Damn right. Don’t even deny you’d do the same thing for your woman.”

I arched my brows and nodded. “How about Melody?”

“Sure, she can go.”

“I haven’t seen her in a while, I miss her.”

“She’s trouble, man,” Ryke said with a grin. “Smart and cute as hell.”

“Yeah, I’ll come by and pick her up.”

Kyler was talking to one of the other guys, and I called him over. “You ready, Big K?”

“Yeah. Can I get three different kinds, and sprinkles?”

I laughed and put him in a gentle head lock. “Your mom said one kind so we don’t spoil your dinner, Chief.”

“Aww,” he groaned. “Can we go back to the video game place?”

“Yep. But you know you can only play the games your mom said you can.”

His face dropped with disappointment. “I want to play the shooting one.”

“Nah. We’ll play the basketball shooting one, it’s more fun anyway.”

“I made a basket in gym class today.” He looked up at me with a gap-toothed grin.

“Way to go.” I bumped his fist and we made our way to the steel exit door. “Better zip up your coat.”

When I turned, I met Butch Price’s startled gaze. He looked away in a hurry.

“You need something, Coach?” I asked.

“No,” he said quickly. “Just, uh …”

It clicked in an instant that he’d been following us. I couldn’t help feeling sorry for him, even though he could be a prick.

“Hey, you want to get some ice cream with us?” I asked.

“Yeah, come with us, Grandpa!” Kyler said happily.

“Well, I don’t know … I guess I could.”

“You can ride with us,” I said. “We’ve got to make a quick stop on the way.”

He gave me a pointed look. “Right, I heard you talking to Ryke about someone you missed. Someone pretty.”

I shook my head and grinned at him. “She’s five, Coach. Ryke’s daughter Melody.”

“She’s my friend,” Kyler interjected. “And she plays hockey.”

Price actually had the decency to look sheepish. “I’m kind of set in my ways,” he admitted. “And maybe … a little quick to judge.”

I nodded, accepting his half apology. “You like basketball?”

“I still play,” he said. “Not quite as fast as I used to be, though.”

“We’re gonna play the basketball shooting game at the arcade. You want me to give you a head start?” I couldn’t help teasing him for once.

“Hell no,” he said indignantly. “You may be younger, but I’ve got experience going for me.”

“You shouldn’t say hell, Grandpa,” Kyler said solemnly.

“You’re right,” he agreed.

And that was the start of a couple hours spent with Butch Price by choice, something I never thought I’d do. But I could tell that he was nothing like my own lousy father. However misguided he was, Butch was driven by his love for Dell and Kyler and his desire to protect them. That was maybe the only thing we had in common, other than a deep competitive spirit, but it was a very big thing.

Dell

Was it my imagination, or had my dad just smiled at Luke? It was rare for him to smile at anyone but Kyler. Luke had made several good hits in the last few minutes. This was a last-second timeout at the end of a game that we were winning 2-1.

“Keep your fucking heads up and pull this out,” Dad said in a steady tone. “We’ve turned things around on this team, so let’s not fall back now. Let’s head into the playoffs with our heads high.”

It had been a rough game, with lots of hard hits by both teams. I’d be here late tonight working on the guys. I headed back to the locker room to see if the equipment manager had my ice bath ready.

The tub was filled with ice, and extra water bottles were lined up on a counter. I was ready to get to work. The dull roar of the crowd told me the game was over.

I turned to head back out and felt the heat of someone approaching me from behind.

“That was too fucking easy.” Powerful arms wrapped around my chest and neck. “I got you alone – just like that?”

John. I knew his voice, but it was slurred.

“John, what are you doing here?” I was trying for a casually surprised tone, but my panic was apparent.

“I’ve got nothing to live for now.” His tone was low an ominous. I swallowed as I felt something hard sitting against my windpipe. A knife? My worst fear had been that he’d rape me. I’d never even considered this.

I didn’t know how to talk my way out of this. From the smell of his breath and the sound of his voice, I knew he was drunk. I was afraid anything I said would make him mad.

“Say you’re sorry,” he said in my ear. “You fucking ruined everything, Dell.”

“I’m sorry.” Tears spilled onto my cheeks. “I’m so sorry, John. You’re really scaring me.”

“That’s good. You should be scared. Don’t you dare fucking move or I’ll kill you.”

“Okay. I won’t move.”

Instinct told me to placate him. My heart pounded in my chest as I wondered whether I’d seen Kyler for the last time. He knew I loved him, but we still had so many milestones and adventures in front of us.

John was mumbling something I couldn’t decipher when I heard another voice.

“Oh, shit. Dell!”

From the young sound of the voice, I thought it was Bryce, one of the assistant equipment managers.

“Go get Price and Hudson,” John said tersely. “I want them to watch her die.”

Footsteps pounded out of the room.

“Please don’t, John,” I pleaded. “We have a beautiful son together.”

“Lot of good that did me. I never get to see him.”

I wasn’t about to argue that it was his fault. I’d never denied him time with Kyler.

“John!” My father’s voice burst into the locker room. “Put the knife down! You don’t want to do this.”

“It’s all I have left,” he said flatly. “It’s the only way for me to hurt you like you hurt me.”

“Please don’t.” Dad’s voice was thick with emotion. “I never meant to hurt you, John.”

“Dell.” The fear in Luke’s tone sent a shiver through my body. John turned me to face the two of them.

“Anything to say to her before I cut her throat?” he asked.

“No,” Luke said, his face twisting with anguish. My dad – the toughest man I’d ever known – was crying uncontrollably.

“Tell Kyler I love him,” I said. “Tell him the day he was born was the best day of my life. Dad, I want you and Mom to raise him, but let Sadie—”

“Shut the fuck up,” John said, and I felt a trickle of warmth on my skin as he tightened his hold on my neck. “I’m raising him. He’s
my
son.”

“Of course you are,” Luke said. “Listen, John, this is all my fault. If I hadn’t started shit with you that night, none of this would’ve happened. If you’ll trade Dell for me, Kyler can still have both of his parents.”

“How sweet,” John said sarcastically. “Trading your life for hers. But this is the way I need to go. Offing you wouldn’t mean shit to Coach. He’d probably appreciate it.”

The door opened and someone in a uniform started to come in.

“Out!” my father roared. “Out of this room!”

“No one has to die,” Luke said in a level tone. “Everyone makes mistakes. Don’t make one that will cost you everything.”

“It’s too late.” John’s voice was flat and hopeless.

“It’s never too late,” my father said desperately. “I’ll put you back on the team. Please let her go, John. Please.”

I felt the vibration of John’s shaking chest against my back. He was crying. Would he make a split-second decision, fueled by emotion, that would be the end of me?

Luke edged closer, holding his hands out in front of him. “Let’s settle this like men. You’re above hurting a woman, I know that about you.”

His shaking started to subside. “I wish we could,” he said.

“We can,” Luke’s tone was imploring. “It’s just you and me, man. Ditch the knife and let’s go.”

The blade against my throat loosened a little, allowing me to take a full breath.

“I’m sorry,” John whispered. He shoved me into Luke and moved to slice his own throat. Luke moved me aside with one arm and grabbed John’s forearm with his other hand, slamming him back against the wall.

John just stared at him, stunned.

“Get the knife,” Luke grunted, using all his strength to keep John pinned to the wall. My dad advanced and pulled the knife away, his eyes pooling with relief as he looked at me.

Everything moved fast then. Dad called in the police, who restrained John and arrested him. He was going into a psychiatric hold and would get an evaluation.

Luke wrapped me in his arms and refused to let go. He rested his forehead against mine and our chests rose in and out together.

“I love you,” I said softly. “I may have helped you rehab, but you helped me, too. I never believed in love before you.”

“I didn’t even know what it was,” he said. “But I do now. I would’ve traded with you in a heartbeat. I would’ve died to save you, Dell. Now that I’ve got you, I can’t ever let go.”

Team staff and arena security swarmed around us, but I wasn’t aware of anything but him. His warm strength was all that was keeping me standing.

Dad rested a hand on Luke’s shoulder but didn’t say anything. But I knew he was apologizing. I hugged him, too choked up to speak.

“I’m sorry,” he said, crying softly against my shoulder. “So sorry.”

“Dad, it’s okay.”

He pulled back and swiped his fingers beneath his eyes, regaining his usual tough expression.

“Luke.” Dad put a hand on his shoulder. “I apologize. I can see what my Adella means to you. I’ve just been an old fool.”

“We’re okay, Coach. I know you were just looking out for her and Kyler.”

Dad gave a small nod. “Well, everything will be different now. I’ll retire and leave you two in peace if you’d like.”

Luke shook his head and furrowed his brow. “No. I need you to stay. My game’s never been better.”

“And I want you here, Dad,” I said, leaning against Luke. “You and Mom. We all need to spend time together.”

“I’d like that,” Dad said, clearing his throat. He was nothing if not emotional, and I finally felt more coming from him than judgment and disappointment.

“Ma’am, we’ll need to question you,” a police officer said.

“How long will it take? I really want to go be with my son.”

“Just a few minutes.”

I recounted the incident that still felt surreal. Luke stayed with me until I was allowed to leave, and then we met up with Sadie and Kyler, who had been watching the game from the stands.

My little boy smiled his impish grin and I lost it. I was crying hard when I wrapped him tightly into my arms.

“What’s wrong, Mom?” he asked. “Why are you crying?”

I pulled away and wiped my cheeks with the backs of my hands.

“It’s because I’m happy, sweets.”

And it was. At long last, I knew what I wanted and was grateful for what I had. Nothing could hold me back.

Luke

We woke up every morning to the sound of crashing waves – and occasionally, to the sound of Kyler begging to go to the beach. The house we’d rented in Hawaii was starting to feel like home to all of us after being here for three weeks. I was already planning to buy a place here, though I hadn’t told Dell because I wanted to surprise her.

This place was amazing, but I wanted a place where we could leave our bedroom and sit on a deck overlooking the beach to watch the sunset together. Or the sunrise, depending on our mood.